Box-blank machine.



PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1907.

E. 0mm. BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22. 1906.

" 9 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Z lift l PATENTED SEPT. 3, 1907. E. CRAIG.

' BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLICATION 1ILED AUG.22.1906.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATEN'TED SEPT. s, 1907.

. E. CRAIG. BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG 22 1906 9 SHEETS-SHEET s.

- PATENTEMi-J T. s, 1907..

13. CRAIG.

I BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLICATIOIF FILED AUG. 22. 1906.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 864,955, PATENTED SEPT. s, 1907. E CRAIG BOX BLANK MACHINE.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG ZZ. 1906.

Wrw. W.

PATENTED. SEPT. a, 1907. y

B. 0mm. BOX BLANK MACHINE. APPLICATION P1 1131) AUG 22 1906 9SHEETS-SHEET s.

No, 864,955.. PATENTED SEPT. 3,1901

7 E. CRAIG: .BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 22. 1906. V

I 9 SHEE'I. S-SHEET B.

muse 1,955. v I ,PATBNTHD SEPT. 3, 1907. Rogue.

""BOX BLANK MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22,1906.

V I 9 SHBETS-SHEET 9 EDWARD tilt/HG, OF ST. JOSEPH, llllGHlGAN, ASSIGNORTO WILLIAM HEALY, OF GlHCAGO,

' ILLINOIS.

BOX-BLANK MACHINE.

nu ceases.

{specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

Application filed August 22,1906. semi smarter.

To all whom. "it may concern:

lie it known that I, EDWARD CRAIG, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of St. Joseph, Michigan, have invented a certainnew and useful 1m 5 provement in BoxBlank Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification. 7 1

My invention relates to machinery for use in making wire-bound andcleat-reinforced box-blanks.

In certain respects, my invention is in the nature 10 of an improvementon the box-blank machine disclosed in Patent Nof815,197 issued March 13,1906.

Generally stated, the object of my invention is the u'rwision of animproved-and highly eflicient machine for making wire-bound andcleat-reiniorced box-blanks of thisparticular character.

Special objects of my invention are the provision of.

improved endless, traveling link-belts for supporting and guiding thecleats of the blanks; the provision of improvcdmeans for varying thedistance between the two endless, traveling link-belts orcleats-carriers, for

the purpose of varying the width of the blanks; theprovision of a-noveland eflicient arrangement for readily tightening the endless, travelinglink-belts or combined cleat guides and carriers-adapted also to permitlengthening and shortening of the endless traveling link-belts orchains; the provision of improved means for holding the blank materialsdown upon the traveling link belts or carriers before the same passbelow the staplers. which are employed for driving staples to fasten thematerials together; the provision of improved means for permitting avariation in the length of the blanks, that is to say, for permittingthe use of cleats of different length, and for properly spacing the sameapart endwise in the direction of their longitudinal travel through themachine; the provisionoi improved meansior holding the blanksdownuponthe' traveling chains. or link-belts after the some have passedout from under the said staplers; the provision of "improved means foroperating the said traveling link- 40 belts or combined cleat guides andcarriers; and the provision of certain details andfeature'sofimprovementand combinationstending toinereas the gen eral efficiencyand serviceability of abox-blank maehine of this particular character.To the foregoingand other useful ends, my invention consists inmatters'hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a plan of a box-blank machineembodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe said machine; Fig. Sis a side elevation of the said machine; Fig. 4is a perspective view of a finished box-blank; Fig. 5 is a longitudinalsection on line55 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 isa detail side elevation of aportion of one of the traveling link-belts or c iainsfshowing also aportion of one of the sprockets Fig. 7 is a plan of a site ends of themachine and supported for rotation in 110 portion of the chain or linkbelt shown in Fig. (i; Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing theinner side of a portion of one of the endless chains or linkbelts, andshowing the device for holding the stock or materials in place beforethe same pass below the staplers; Fig. 9 is a plan of the devices shownin Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a cross section on line 10-10 in Fig. 9; Fig.

'11 is a detail perspective view showing a portion of one ofthe linkbelts, a portion of the guide in which the link belt travels or slides,and showing also one of the devices for holding the blan'ks in placeafter the same pass out from under the'staplcrs; Fig. 12 is a detailperspective view of one of the miter blocks for spacing the cleats apartendwise; Fig. 13 is a detail cross section on line 13-13 in Fig. 11;Fig/14 is a detail cross section on line 14-14 in Fig. 11; Fig. 15 is adetail perspective view showing aportion of one of the endlesslink-belts or traveling clcat-carriers, a portion of the guide in whichthesame slides, and a portion of the transverse"supporting bar forthesaid guide, said, supporting bar being graduated with reference to anindicating pointer on the said guide, whereby accurate variation may beobtained in the width of the blanks; Fig. 16 is a detail sectionalviewshowing the said pointer on the chain guide, and showing a portionof the graddated bar on which the guide rests; Fig. 17 is a detail sideelevation of one of the hand wheels for effecting a lateral adjustmentof one of the endless traveling 1inkbelts or chains; Fig318' is a detailsectional view on line ]818 in Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a detail longitudinalsectional view of one of the devices for effecting a tightening of thelink belts; Fig. 20 is a detail perspective of the locking dog and aportion of the rackfof one of said devices; Fig. 21 is a detail verticalsectional view on line 21-21 in Fig. 19; and Fig. 22 is detail sectionalI view of the rotary sprocket shaft and hand wheel. Referring now toFig. 4, it will be 'seenthat the box blank to be made comprises foursheets of veneer, 1, 2, 3, 4, longitudinally-extending cleats 5 securedto the lower surfaces of said sheets of veneer and extending along theside edges of the blank, together with binding wires 6 secured to thetop or .upper surface of the blank to flexibly connect together thefour; sections thereof, it being understood that staples 7 are driven soas to straddle the said wires, and that the staples which se- 10C curethe outermost wires in place are also employed for securing the cleatsto the sheets of veneer.

My improyed machine for making a blank of the foregoing generalcharacter comprises a main frame or body A, and an auxiliary orsupplemental frame or body B, each of said frames or bodies consistingpreferably of a couple of upright members, all rigidly connectedtogether by' a base or flooring C. The transverse sprocket-wheel shaftsD and E are mounted at opposuitable bearings carried by the said uprightmembers of the two frames or bodies. Sprocket wheels, such for exampleas the sprocket wheel d, (shown in Fig. 5) are mounted upon the saidshafts, and the two sprockets of one shaft are connected with the twosprockets of the other shaft by means of a couple of parallel andendless link-belts or chains F and G. It will also be seen, at thisjuncture, that the two upright members of the main frame A are connectedby a transverse supporting beam or bar a, the same being provided with alongitudinal slot a. The graduated cross bar b connects together the twouprights of the auxiliary or supplemental frame B, and has its uppersurface graduated in inches and fractions thereof, as shown more clearlyin Fig. 15. A stationary, longitudinally-disposed guide-bar or troughfissupported upon the cross bars a and b, and provided on its upper surfacewith a groove or trough in which the chain or link belt. F is supportedand travels along during the operation of the machine. The two sprocketwheels provided for the chain or link belt G, as, for example, thesprocket 9 shown in Fig. 18, are each provided with a hand wheel H foreffecting lateral adjustment of the chain or link belt G, as willhereinafter more fully appear. This link belt or chain G-is supported ina laterally-movable g which extend longitudinally above the two endlesstraveling link-belts, and which are provided at their forward ends withthe pivoted holders f and g.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, which show the pivoted holder f it will beseen that the same is pivotally mounted at f the pivotal connectionbeing provided by a bolt which can be tightened or loosened to hold theholder f ,in any desired position. The guard f is provided with pins fwhich enter the brackets f 5 secured to the guide bar f. Thumb screws fare inserted in said brackets and adapted to bear upon the pins f {toremovably hold the same in place. With this arrangement, the guards fand 9* can be inserted and removed, it being understoodthat the twoguards are constructed in the same manner.

Referring to Fig. 11, it will also be seen that the guide bar f isprovided with a bracket f which supports a pivoted plate f and uponwhich latter a spring holder f 9 is secured in place to hold the blanksin place after they pass out from under the staplers. The said pivotedplate f 8 is secured in place by'a-bolt or screw f and is held in itsadjusted position by a thumb screw f With this arrangement, the thumbscrew f 11 can be loosened, and the spring holder f 9 and its supportingplate can thenbe swung'around to a position at one side of the link beltF. It will be seen that the guide bars f andg are secured'by bolts tothe cross bars aa. Such bolts extend through the slot'a, whereby thechain G\can be shifted 'sideWise by a rotation of the hand wheels H. Inthis connection, it will be seen that the shafts 0r transverse sprocketsupports D and E are screw-threaded in order to permitthe rotation ofthe hand wheels H to remove the chain G sidewise for the purpose ofvarying the distance between the two chains or endless traveling linkbelts, as will hereinafter more fully appeair l Should it be desired totighten the belt or to change I l the length of the belt by inserting orremoving links, the same can be easily accomplished by partiallyrotating the shaft D. Upon the ends of this shaft, pinions d are secured'in place, adapted to engage the stationary racks d", which latter areparallel and secured tothe side portions of the main frame or body A. Alocking dog d can be provided for one of said pinions and arranged tolockingly engage the rack upon which said pinionis supported, as shownmore clearly in Fig. 2f.

it will be seen that the loose sprocket wheel (I has an associatedcollar which is fastened to the shaft, and which is provided withsockets (1 adapted to receive a tool for rotating the shaft D. In otherWords, a suitable tool can be inserted in these sockets, and the shaft Dcan then be rocked or partially rotated for the purpose of causing thepinions (1 to travel along their respective racks, thus varying thedistance between the shafts l) and E. Thus, with this arrangement, thetwo parallel link-belts or chains can be easily or readily tightened orloosened, or the length of the same can be readily varied according tothe requirements of different kinds of work.

. Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the twoendless traveling link-belts are given an intermittent traveling motionby means of an automatic feed arrangement, consisting of a cum I on themain shaft J, "a pivoted lever 'f provided with a roll 1" adapted to beengaged by the said cam; a link or rod i connecting the upper end ofsaid lever with a swinging arm 11, which lattercarries a dog 1'" adaptedto engage a ratchet wheel i With this arrangement, the

rotation of the shaft J causes a reciprocation of the rod 'i', and aconsequent intermittent motion of the ratchet device provided by theratchet wheel i and the dog 1. This intermittent motion is, of course,communicated to the shaft E, with the result that the two sprocketwheels held thereon are given an intermittent rotation, communicatingsuch motion to the chains or link belts F and G. l

wheels which are mounted on the threaded shaft D must be able to turnloosely thereon, inasmuch as this shaft does not rotateduring' theoperationof the machine, but is only rocked or rotated for the purposeof tightening or changing the length of the-two traveling link belts.When the two hand wheels II are rotated, an accurate adjustment of thechain G and its supporting guidecan be obtained by means of thegraduated cross bar I; and the pointer g on the guide g. (see Figs.15and 16). r It will beseen that the rod 1". is actuated in. onedirection by the spring 2'', Which connects the said .rod with the crossbar or beam a.

The two traveling link belts or chains are alike, and a description ofone will sufficefor both. Referring, therefore, to Figs. 6 and 7, and 11to 14,,inclusivc, it will be seen that the chain or link belt F'isprovided 'with outer links 8, which have'longitudinal grooves 9 adaptedto receive the bolt heads 10. These bolt them to fit into said grooves9, as shown more clearly in Fig. (3. The bolts 11 extend through thelinks of the chains or link belts, to. flexibly connect the same It willbe understood, of course that the two sprocket headsare flattened at topand bottom in order to adapt i also provided with longitudinal slots1'5, through which the said bolts extend; and a miter block It providedwith a side rib 725 adapted to engage the groove is. The said miterblock is clamped between the two members of the pocket-or cleat carrier,and is provided at each' side with steps adapted to engage thestepmitered ends of the cleats. Each miter block is also provided with athin top or upper end lo adapted to extendbetween the ends of the twocleats resting thereonj With' this arrangement, the said miter block canbe adjusted and held at any desired point between the two ends of thepocket or cleat holder K, as shown more clearly in Figs. '7 and 11, therib k and groove k serving to prevent the said miter block from beingraised or displaced from the bottom or floor k of the said cleat holder.The slots k permit endwise'adjustment of the cheat holders relatively toeach other and relatively to the chains or link belts; itbeingunderstood that corresponding slots are also formed in.the innermembers 7c of the said cleat holders. Nuts and washers k are applied tothe outer ends of the bolts 11, whereby the cleat holders and the miterblocks are all clamped tightly to the inner sides of the two endlesstraveling link belts. The flattened heads or outer ends oi the saidbolts, by being adaptedto engage the grooves 9 in the said link belts,prevent said belts from turning. Furthermore, it will be seen that theseflattened bolt heads project outwardly to an extent to enable them torest upon the outer flange is of the. trough-like guide-bar f.

The lower edges of the outer members 10 rest upon the inner flange k ofthe said trough-like guide-bar. The said cleat pockets or holderspreferably rest firmly upon the bottom or floor k" of the said guidebar, as shown more clearly in Figs: 13 and 14. At their centers, eachouter member 70 is provided with an opening adapted to engage a smallpin k inserted in or made integral with the inner member k, whereby thetwo members of each cleat pocket or holder are always accuratelyassembled and held together,-tliat is to say, relative displacementbetween the two members of any cleat pocket is thus prevented. In thisway, each traveling link belt or chain is adaptedto slide smoothly inits allotted guide bar, and is also adapted to support the cleats of theblank and carry the same forward for the purpose of advancing the blankmaterial below the staplers; and, in addition, each traveling link beltor chain is provided with improved miter blocks for spacing the cleatsapart endwise in the direction oftheir longitudinal travel. The distancecan be, varied betwe" n .the miter blocks, wherebycleats of difierentlength can be inserted in the machine for the purpose of making blanksof various shapes and arrangement can be employed for driving thestaples, by which the binding wires and cleats are secured to the sheetsof veneer. .For example, themain frame A can be provided withvertical'guides for the horizontallyalisposed and vertically-slidingcross-head L, which latter is operated by rods Z connected witheccentrics l mounted on the shaft J. As illustrated, the blank isconstructed with tour parallel binding wires, and for this reason themachine is shown as being provided with four staplers, M, M, lip and Mtogether with a lii'th or additional stapler M", wliiclrlatter willonlybe used when the width oi the blanks is increased to an extent tomake necessary the provision 01' a fifth binding wire.- Anvils or clenchblocks are provided for the said staplers, each clench block beingmounted upon the cross beam (1 and each clench block being held thereonby bolts which extend through the slotrr.

It will be understood that the usual staple drivers and formers areconnected with the reciprocating cross head L, while the wire-feedingdevices and anrils or loop bars are carried ,by the stationary crosshead N, which latter is secured to the body frame A. In addition, acorresponding number 01' wire reels 0 are provided, adapted to carry thebinding wires. These binding wires are led downwardly and guided beneathunreeled. When a finished blank arrives at the l'orward or discharge endofthe machine, it can be cutoff, or, on the other hand, the flexiblyconnected blanks can be discharged one after the other, and then sepa;rated afterwards; At this juncture, it will be understood that the miterblocks in the chains or link belts are so disposed thereon that asufficient space is insured between the opposing ends of any two blanks,whereby, when the blanks are finally severed .or cut apart, there willthen be suflicient length for the ends of the wires to permit twistingof the same together when the blank is finally embodied in a completebox. This spacing apart of the blanks can be accomplished by anysuitable adjustment of the miter blocks, aswill be readilyunderstood. Inorder to permit the width of the blanks to be changed, the said staplersare adjustably mounted onthe stationary and-reciprocating cross heads,thus permitting lateral adjustment of the said staplers. The anvil's orclench blocks P are, as previously explained, adjustably mounted onthebeam or bar a, and are thus adapted to be moved in accordance with anyIn this way, the binding wires are adjustment which may be given theirrespective staplers, It will be understood, of course, that the saidmiter blocks prevent endwise displacement of the cleats while themachine is in operation. The drag or back pull of the binding wires isconsiderable, and

in this way the miter blocks have the double function of spacing thecleats apart endwise and preventing the binding wires from causingendwise displacement of the cleats relatively to the chains or travelinglink belts.

Each chain or link belt is not,only a carrier for the cleats andveneer,but is also a traveling guide for the cleats, inasmuch as each link beltor chain is provided with means for holding the cleats against lateraldisplacement therefrom. In other words, the traveling work-holder,composed of the two link belts or chains, is provided with means orholding the cleats in fixed relation thcroto,tliat for preventingmovement of the cleats in all directions except in an upward direction.Upward displacement of the cleats and veneer is impossible, however,owing to the provision of the aforedescribed guards and holders, whichbear upon the sheets of veneer while the materials are passing throughthe machine.

As a further advantage, it will be seen, that the provision of main andsu 'iplelnental frames or bodies for the machine enables the operator tostand in close to the work-holder, and to thus conveniently load thelatter with the required materials as fast as it travels along; or, ifdesired, the operator can stand at the end of the lnachine and in aposition to conveniently place the cleats in the pockets or holderswhich are not covered by the guards f and The said guards f and 1] arenot, however, directly over the cavities or pockets ot the chains orlink belts, but are disposed slightly outside thereof, as shown moreclearly in Fig. l0, and thus serve merely to engage the end edges of thesheets of yeneer. In this way, thesheets of veneer cannot be displacedtransversely or sidewiseof the traveling work-holder, but

are guided to the point where they are then pre ed" down .by'the pivotedholders f' and y. With this arrangement, the operator can, as previouslystated, stand between the main and supplemental frames and load thematerials on to the travelingWork-lwlder at' a point between the twoguards f and g When the distance between the two chains is varied forthe purposev of changing the width of the blanks, the staples and theiranvils or clench blocks can then be adjusted so as to bring the twooutside staplers directly oventhe cleats held by the chains orlinkbelts, soas to bring the intermediate staplers into correct positionatlpoints between the two chains or link belts. 'Before turning the handwheels H, it will be understood, of course, that thebolt which securesthe guide bar g to tlie beam a must be loosened slightly, thuspermitting said bolt to slide in the slot 1;; When the proper adjustmenthas been secured, said bolt can then be tightened, although, in thearrangement shown, lateral displacemht of the guide bars g is not likelyto occur. Noclench blocks are, of course, necessary for the staplerswhich operate directly overrthe chains or link belts, inasmuch asthestaples which are driven at this point are preferably given a blindclench,

that is to say, are not driven entirely through the cleats. Should theybe driven through the cleats, they will then be clenched by contact withthe bottom walls of the pockets or cleat holders.

It will be seen that the hand wheel H and sprocket g are both loose onthe shaft D, the hand wheel gripping the shaft and the sprocket turningin the hand wheel. On the shaft E, however, the sprocket g has a splinewhich slides in the longitudinal groove e, while the hand Wheel H isloose upon the shaft. Both hand wheels are, however, threaded upon theirrespective shafts. I r

What I claim as my invention is,,

1. In a machine of the class specified, the combination of a travelingwork holder composed of a pair of endless link belts, meansior operatingsaidwbrk-holder, and

means including a pair of rack and pinrion devices for use.

in tightening said link belts or permitting a variation in the lengththereof by the insertion or removal of links, the pinions movable andthe racks stationary.

2. In a machine oi the class specified, the combination of a worleholdercomprising a pair of endless traveling link belts, means for operatingsaid work-holder, and means including a couple of hand wheels screwed onto a pair of threaded sprockcbwheel shafts for adjusting one link belttoward and away from the other to permit a variation in the width of theworkholder. v

3. In a machine of the class specified, the combination of a work-holdercomposed of two parallel and endless i'raveliuglink belts, means foroperating said work-holder, means including a pair or rotatable handwheels for adjusting one link belt toward and away from the other,guides for the upper portions of tholink belts and a ;,,'l':ltliltll0(lsupporting'bar along which the guide ofthe movable li'nk belt isadjusted to accurately determine the desired distance between the twolink belts, each hand wheel rotatable without rotating the other.

-t. In a machine of the class specified, the combination of awork-holder comprising a plurality of endless traveling link belts,means including a couple of hand wheels screwed on to a pair oi"threaded sprocket-wheel shafts for adjusting one link belt toward andaway from the other, means for operating said link belts in unison. anda graduated supmiriing, bar extending transversely below said link beltsand along which the movable link belt is adjusted to accuratelydetermine any desired width for the workholder.

5. In a machine oi the class specified, the combination of an endlesstraveling work-holder, means i'or opm'ating said work holder, andsuitable means for operating upon any materials carried by saidwork-holder, said workholder comprising a plurality of endless travelinglink belts, each linkbelt provided. with longitudinal pockets held endto end, each pocket consisting of inner and outer members providing atrough'like space between them, and a removable miter block in eachpocket, said link belts having the links thereof connected by boltswhich extend through and clamp in place the two members of'each pocket.f

6. In a machine of the class specified, the combination I of an endlesstraveling work-holder, means foroperating said work-holder, and suitablemeans for operating upon any materials carried by said work-holder, saidvorkholder comprising -a plurality of endless traveling link belts, eachlink belt provided. with longitudinal pockets held end to endyeachpocketconsisting of inner and outer members providing a trough-like spacebetween them, and

a removable miter block in each pocket, said link belts havingthe linksthereof connected by bolts which extend through and clamp in place thetwo members of each.

pocket,

each pocket provided with longitudinal slots through which said boltsextend, whereby said pockets are adjustable longitudinally of the saidlink belts.

7. In a mnchine of the class specified, .the combination of anendlesstraveling work-holder, means for operating sa'id work-holder, .andsuitable means for operating upon any materials carried by saidwork-holder, said workholder comprising a plurality of endless travelinglink- .belts', each link belt provided with longitudinal pockets heldend to end, each pocket consisting of inner and outer members providingatrough-like space between them, and a removable miter block in 'eachpocketfsaid link belts having the links thereof connected by bolts whichextend through and clamp in place the two members of each ])O(flet,'eR1Cll miter block being provided with a rib, and each-pocket havingits outer member provided with a longitudinal groove adapted to engagesaid rib, whereby said miter blocks are adjustable longitudinally oftheir respective pockets without danger of upward displacementtherefrom.

8. In a machine of the class specified, the combination of a travelingwork-holder, staplers for operating on any materials carried by saidwork-holder, stationary supports, plates pivoted upon said supports, setscrews applied to said pivoted plates to adjustably hold the same inoperative scenes of an endless traveling; work-holder, sprockets overwhich said. Work-bolder travels, a shaft for the sprockets at one end ofthe work-holder, a pair of stationary racks, pinions secured to the endsof said shaft, adapted to engage and travel upon said racks, and meanson said shaft for locking or partially rotating said pinions for thepurpose of either tightening or loosening the link belts or permitting avariaiion in the length thereof by the insertion or removal of links.

10. In a machine for making wire-bound and cleatreinforced box-blanks,the combination of a traveling work-holder, means for operating saidwork-holder, and miter blocks on said work-holder adapted to space thecleats apart endwise, each miter block being provided with alongitudinal rib In, and said work-holder'being provided withlongitudinal grooves Ir adapted to engage said ribs, substantially asset forth.

11. In a machine of the class specified, the combination of a pair ofendless traveling link-belts, sprockets for said link belts, splithandnvheels applied to the sprotkets, of one of said link belts, andthreaded shafts supporting said sprockets. i

12. A machine for making wire'bound. box-blanks, comprising parallellink-belts, pockets in said belts for carrying cleats end to end,adapted to prevent lateral displacement of the cleats, means in,said'belts for spacing the,

' cleats apart endwise, stationary guides in which said linkbelts aresupported'against lateral displacement, means on said belts forpositioning sheet material on said'cleats,

means for applying binding wires to flexibly connect .together the cleatreinforced sections of eachblank, and means for suitably moving saidbelts in said guides.

13. A machine for making wire bound and cleat-rein forced box-blanks,comprising a plurality of linlcbelts, means on said'belts for spacingthe'cleats apart endwise, means on said belts for preventing lateraldisplacement of tions of each blank.

said cleats, spaceus on said bclts lor separating the edges of the sheetmaterial on said cleats, means for suitably operating said belts, andmeans for applying binding wires to llcxibly connect together the spacedor separated sec l-L. A machine for making wire-bound borcblanks,comprising link-belis, pockets in said heltsfor holding the cleats endto end, adapted to prevent lateral displacement of saidcleats, means forspacing the cleats apart endwise, guides in which said belts aresupported, means for operati1 said bells in said guides, means forapplying binding wires to flexibly connecb'togethcr. the sections ofeach blank, and means for laterally shifting one belt and its guide tochange the width of the blanks.

. 15. A machine for making wirebound boi blanks, comprising endlesslink-bcilts provided with pockets for holding cleats endto end, adaptedto space the cleats apart endwise and prevent lateral displacement ofthe same therefrom, means on said belts for spacing apart the sheetmaterial on said cleats, means for suitably actuating said beltsintermittently to successively bringjthe blanks into position, and meansfor applying bindingwires to flexibly connect together the slightlyseparated sections of each blank thus brought into position by saidbelts.

16. In a machine of the'class specified, a plurality of link-beltsprovided with instrumentalities for holding cleats end to end, adaptedto space the cleats apart endwise and prevent lateral displacement ofthe same, and means on said belts for separating the edges of sheet material on said cleats.

A Signed by me at St. Joseph, Berrien county, Mich, this 14th dayof-Augnst 1906.

EDWARD 0 min.

Witnesses CHAS. W. STRATTON, HELEN C. CLARKE.

